The Civil War may be over, but for twelve-year-old Will Page, the pain and bitterness haven't ended. How could they have, when the Yankees were responsible for the deaths of everyone in his entire immediate family? Now Will has to leave his comfortable home in the Shenandoah Valley and live with relatives he has never met, people struggling to eke out a living on their farm in the war-torn Virginia Piedmont. But the worst of it is that Will's uncle Jed had refused to fight for the Confederacy. At first, Will regards his uncle as a traitor -- or at least a coward. But as they work side by side, Will begins to respect the man. And when he sees his uncle stand up for what he believes in, Will realizes that he must rethink his definition of honor and courage.
Thunder at Gettysburg by Patricia Gauche
It is July 1st and the battle has begun. Tillie runs up to the attic of her house to try to see what is going on. Below her, she can see “swarms” of men dressed in blue and those of the enemy dressed in gray. Though Tillie knows that this war is about important matters, about slavery and protecting the union, for her the battle is about beating the horrible “Rebs” who pillaged and stripped her town, and who worked her horse to death. It is about revenge. At least that is what she feels at first. As the battle rages around her Tillie finds herself having to take care of the wounded. She also sees things that make her realize that perhaps the Union soldiers are not that different from those Rebs in gray. Perhaps, instead, they are boys just like the ones from Gettysburg who went to war not that long ago.
Pinkand Say by Patricia Polacco
In a true story, Pinkus Aylee, a black Union soldier, finds Sheldon Curtis left for dead and carries him home to be tended by his mother, but when the two boys attempt to rejoin the Union troops, they are captured and sent to Andersonville Prison.
Three Against the Tide by D. Anne Love
The Civil War truly hits home when Susanna's father is called to help the Confederate Army. Twelve-year-old Susanna is placed in charge of the family's South Carolina plantation and her two younger brothers. Then the Yankee soldiers invade their island, forcing Susanna and her brothers Neddie and Samuel to escape to their other home in Charleston. When a fire destroys their Charleston home, Susanna decides nothing will stop them from finding their father. Throughout the dangerous journey, Susanna can't help but question the traditions her family and most Southerners have been fighting to protect. Maybe it's time to stop going with the flow, and go up against the tide.
A Ballad of the Civil War by Mary Stolz
Tom Rigby didn't think that anything could ever come between him and his twin, Jack. But things begin to change when Tom learns that they are not allowed to play with their friend Aaron anymore because he's a slave. Tom is upset, but Jack doesn't seem to care. All Jack cares about is playing soldier.Eleven years later, when war breaks out, Jack joins the Confederation army. But Tom can't bring himself to fight for a cause he doesn't believe in -- slavery. So Tom rides north to join the Union army -- even though he knows he may one day have to face his brother on the battlefield.
Nonfiction
You Wouldn't Want to be a Civil War Soldier by Thomas Ratliff, David Salariva, and David Antram
You Wouldn't Want to be a Nurse During the American Civil War by Kathryn Senior, David Salariva, and Mark Bergin
If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War by Kay Moore and Anni Matsick
Videos and Video Clips--Please preview all clips to confirm they are appropriate for your students
Life of a Civil War Soldier A collection of images and text to give students an idea of what life was like a soldier
Causes of the Civil War This site will bring you to history.com where many other video clips are available to introduce students to topics before discussing or assigning reading.
Confederate and Union Soldiers This site will bring you to the history.com where many other video clips are available to introduce students to topics before discussing or assigning reading.
BrainPOP Civil War A great overview of the war. Great for introducing or reviewing the topic.
The Civil War: Part 2 Another great site for authentic Civil War pictures, especially important individuals
Civil War Binders An assortment of LiveBinders that have numerous Civil War resources
The Civil War Trust A COMPREHENSIVE set of lesson plans for teaching the Civil War. Great site for teachers who are just beginning to teach this topic.
Great Civil War Books
Historical Fiction
Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder
The
Civil War may be over, but for twelve-year-old Will Page, the pain and bitterness haven't ended. How could they have, when the Yankees were responsible for the deaths of everyone in his entire immediate family? Now Will has to leave his comfortable home in the Shenandoah Valley and live with relatives he has never met, people struggling to eke out a living on their farm in the war-torn Virginia Piedmont. But the worst of it is that Will's uncle Jed had refused to fight for the Confederacy. At first, Will regards his uncle as a traitor -- or at least a coward. But as they work side by side, Will begins to respect the man. And when he sees his uncle stand up for what he believes in, Will realizes that he must rethink his definition of honor and courage.
Thunder at Gettysburg by Patricia Gauche
It is
July 1st and the battle has begun. Tillie runs up to the attic of her house to try to see what is going on. Below her, she can see “swarms” of men dressed in blue and those of the enemy dressed in gray. Though Tillie knows that this war is about important matters, about slavery and protecting the union, for her the battle is about beating the horrible “Rebs” who pillaged and stripped her town, and who worked her horse to death. It is about revenge. At least that is what she feels at first. As the battle rages around her Tillie finds herself having to take care of the wounded. She also sees things that make her realize that perhaps the Union soldiers are not that different from those Rebs in gray. Perhaps, instead, they are boys just like the ones from Gettysburg who went to war not that long ago.
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
In a true story, Pinkus Aylee, a black Union soldier, finds Sheldon Curtis left for dead and carries him home to be tended by his mother, but when the two boys attempt to rejoin the Union troops, they are captured and sent to Andersonville Prison.
Three Against the Tide by D. Anne Love
The Civil War truly hits home when Susanna's father is called to help the Confederate Army. Twelve-year-old Susanna is placed in charge of the family's South Carolina plantation and her two younger brothers. Then the Yankee soldiers invade their island, forcing Susanna and her brothers Neddie and Samuel to escape to their other home in Charleston. When a fire destroys their Charleston home, Susanna decides nothing will stop them from finding their father. Throughout the dangerous journey, Susanna can't help but question the traditions her family and most Southerners have been fighting to protect. Maybe it's time to stop going with the flow, and go up against the tide.
A Ballad of the Civil War by Mary Stolz
Tom Rigby didn't think that anything could ever come between him and his twin, Jack. But things begin to change when Tom learns that they are not allowed to play with their friend Aaron anymore because he's a slave. Tom is upset, but Jack doesn't seem to care. All Jack cares about is playing soldier.Eleven years later, when war breaks out, Jack joins the Confederation army. But Tom can't bring himself to fight for a cause he doesn't believe in -- slavery. So Tom rides north to join the Union army -- even though he knows he may one day have to face his brother on the battlefield.
Nonfiction
You Wouldn't Want to be a Civil War Soldier by Thomas Ratliff, David Salariva, and David Antram
You Wouldn't Want to be a Nurse During the American Civil War by Kathryn Senior, David Salariva, and Mark Bergin
If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War by Kay Moore and Anni Matsick
Videos and Video Clips--Please preview all clips to confirm they are appropriate for your students
Life of a Civil War Soldier A collection of images and text to give students an idea of what life was like a soldier
Causes of the Civil War This site will bring you to history.com where many other video clips are available to introduce students to topics before discussing or assigning reading.
Confederate and Union Soldiers This site will bring you to the history.com where many other video clips are available to introduce students to topics before discussing or assigning reading.
BrainPOP Civil War A great overview of the war. Great for introducing or reviewing the topic.
Useful Links for Teachers and Students
The Civil War: Part 1 Great site for authentic Civil War pictures
The Civil War: Part 2 Another great site for authentic Civil War pictures, especially important individuals
Civil War Binders An assortment of LiveBinders that have numerous Civil War resources
The Civil War Trust A COMPREHENSIVE set of lesson plans for teaching the Civil War. Great site for teachers who are just beginning to teach this topic.
LIFE Photo Archive An excellent source of authentic Civil War pictures